The Muslim festival of sacrifice, id al-adha, is celebrated all over the world annually in the month of pilgrimage. The book examines the foundations of this festival in the Qur'an and early Islamic history. In the analysis it applies ritual theories to the narratives about various sacrifices, esp. the role of Muhammad for the Muslim community.

Islam has a festival of sacrifice, id al-adha, which is celebrated each year in the month of pilgrimage. Simultaneous to the celebration and the sacrificial ritual in Mecca, during hajj, sheep, camels and cows are slaughtered all over the Muslim world. The story about how Abraham nearly sacrificed his son, Ishaq or Isma'il (Q 37), is important. Also other parts of the Qur'an contribute to the understanding of the id al-adha. Further, texts from the first 500 years after hijra contribute to a new comprehension of the theology of sacrifice in Islam. In this monograph insights from the wider field of religious and anthropological studies (esp. R.A. Rappaport) are applied to the source texts about sacrifices and rituals in pre-Islam and Islam.

Autorentext

Gerd Marie Ådna is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the School of Mission and Theology in Stavanger (Norway). Her research interests include early Islam and ritual studies as well as contemporary Islam with emphasis on migration and family issues. She is an expert in Christian-Muslim dialogue in Norway and Europe.

Inhalt

Contents: Sacrifice - Early Islamic History - Pilgrimage - Mecca - Mina - Adam - Abraham - Isaac - Ishmael - Abd al-Muttalib - Muhammad - Rituals - Religious Studies - Festivals - Islamic Theology - The Qur'an - Ibn Ishaq - Malik ibn Anas - Al-Waqidi - Al-Tabari - Al-Shahrastani - Roy A. Rappaport.